Ontario Gaming Watchdog Hits Great Canadian Entertainment With $120,000 Penalty
Posted on: June 29, 2026, 04:55h.
Last updated on: June 30, 2026, 04:58h.
- AGCO fined Great Canadian Entertainment $120,000 after finding unauthorized bill validator software installed at four Ontario casino properties
- Regulator identified 40 instances of revoked or unapproved gaming software deployed between February 20 and March 15, 2025
- AGCO says unauthorized gaming software bypasses critical safeguards designed to protect casino integrity, anti-money laundering controls and public confidence
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has fined Great Canadian Entertainment $120,000 for using unauthorized gaming system software at four Ontario casinos.
In a statement confirming the investigation, AGCO revealed that Great Canadian Entertainment, one of the country’s largest casino operators, deployed revoked or unapproved software for bill validators on slot machines at their properties.
AGCO inspectors found compliance failures on 40 separate instances between February 20 and March 15, 2025.
Bill validators are components within electronic gaming machines that accept and process cash. The technology helps protect the property against money laundering by authenticating currency and creating transaction records for money that’s inserted.
The AGCO requires casino operators to protect the integrity of their gaming systems by making sure they are independently tested, approved and operating as intended,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, AGCO.
“When unauthorized software is used in a live casino environment, it bypasses critical safeguards that are meant to uphold the integrity of gaming and the public’s confidence in the system.”
Integrity Controls Bypassed
Great Canadian Entertainment operates 12 casino destinations in Ontario, meaning one third of the company’s Ontario properties were impacted by the alleged compliance failure.
That portfolio includes the largest casino revenue generators in the province, based on the latest municipality gaming revenue instalment payments data released by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
Quarterly payments to municipalities that host casinos are based on a graduated scale of slot machine revenue, as well as a share of table game and sportsbook revenue at casinos that offer those services.
Appeal Process Available
In Q4 ending March 31, 2026, Great Canadian Entertainment properties drove significant local revenue, with Casino Woodbine generating just over $4 million and Casino Pickering yielding just under $3.8 million for their host municipalities.
“The AGCO will continue to hold all casino operators accountable for meeting Ontario’s high standards of gaming system integrity,” said Schnarr.
A casino operator served with an Order of Monetary Penalty can appeal the Registrar’s actions within 15 days to the License Appeal Tribunal.
“We respect the AGCO’s decision and its role in enforcing the standards that guide the gaming industry,” said Chuck Keeling, Executive Vice President, External Relations and Business Development, Great Canadian Entertainment.
“We have imposed operational and compliance safeguards to prevent future similar incidents. Our organization remains committed to the highest standards of compliance and accountability for our operations,” Keeling added.
Last Comments ( 2 )
They are all on bed together and are overseen by the Ontario government. Draw your own conclusion when spending your hard earned money at these places!!!
Great Canadian and their overseers are almost one and the same, meaning they have a very, very close relationship. One that allows them (turns their back to) to do things other operators would be punished for. That is my opinion